The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 75: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

58 THE COURT OF LONDON in my heart. And yet I never thought, I never even ven- tured to hope, that the day would come when I should be avenged. It did not seem possible that such good fortune was in store for me. On issuing from prison, I addressed myself to you in my despair, but it was not through friend- ship, no, not even with so beggarly a feeling as charity, that you condescended to return a favourable answer to my petition. You wanted an individual who was to become your instrument, your tool, your cat’s-paw in playing a certain game in the affairs of the Princess of Wales. What your object was, Heaven only knows, and I care not. Suffice it for me to say that I am so deep in your confidence as to hold you completely in my power — ”’ ‘Ah! think you,” interrupted Venetia, who had listened with glowing cheeks, flashing eyes, and scornful lips to the colonel’s long speech, ‘‘ think you that I reck for these implied menaces on your part? Do I not know that gold is all you require, and that your present proceeding is nought but a scandalous mode of extortion? Having failed in your mission, you fancied that I should overwhelm you with reproaches and refuse you any remuneration for such efforts as you may have made in the affair. You therefore think to forestall my anger by this cowardly demonstration on your part. Now tell me what is the amount you require. Name it. Then away with you, and let me see your face no more! ”’ “Not so fast, my lady, if you please,’ said Malpas, with an air of cool unconcern, as if he knew that he was enabled to dictate his own conditions and that Venetia dared not refuse compliance therewith. ‘I am not altogether mer- cenary, although money is certainly an article that I require and which I mean to have, and to a tolerable handsome amount too. But your ladyship possesses other attractions beside your wealth.”’ “Colonel Malpas,’’ said Venetia, concentrating all the lightnings of her looks upon the individual who stood before her, ‘‘ let this scene end at once. I have neither time nor inclination to prolongit. It wants but ten minutes to eight, and at eight my presence will be required elsewhere. There- fore name the sum that you require; it shall be forthcom- ing at any hour to-morrow. But if you dare breathe another word derogatory to my feelings as a woman, | at ECORNIELIDIOO;KS (EO) mM